ESG Policies

Environmental Sustainability Policy

Anne Shoemaker & Associates is committed to minimizing our environmental impact. We strive to operate sustainably and protect the environment in all aspects of our business. We support circularity in the following ways:  

  1. Consumption: use recyclable or biodegradable materials and reusable cups/bottles whenever possible, and avoid single-use plastics
  2. Resource efficiency: implement energy and water conservation measures, such as
    1. Energy-efficient equipment:
      1. Encourage employees and contractors to use Energy Star-certified devices
      2. Promote the use of laptops instead of desktops, as they generally consume less energy
      3. Advise on configuring sleep and hibernation modes for computers
      4. Recommend using smart power strips to reduce standby power consumption
    2. Lighting:
      1. Encourage setting up workspaces near windows to take advantage of natural light, reducing artificial lighting needs
      2. Suggest replacing traditional bulbs with LED lights in home offices
    3. Thermostat settings:
      1. Provide guidelines for optimal thermostat settings to reduce heating/cooling energy use
    4. Green web hosting:
      1. Choose eco-friendly web hosting services for company websites and cloud storage
    5. Home energy audits:
      1. Offer resources or incentives for employees to conduct home energy audits
    6. Water-saving fixtures:
      1. Recommend low-flow faucet aerators and dual-flush toilets for home bathrooms
  3. Recycling and upcycling
    1. Recycle paper, plastic, and glass as a means of reducing office waste
    2. Find creative ways to repurpose or upcycle waste materials
  4. Sustainable sourcing
    1. Choose suppliers who use recycled materials or follow circular principles
    2. Opt for locally sourced materials to reduce transportation emissions
  5. Sharing economy
    1. Consider rental or leasing models instead of outright sales
    2. Collaborate with other businesses to share resources
  6. Digital solutions
    1. Reduce paper and ink use by digitalizing processes and documents
    2. Use video conferencing instead of travel for meetings, reducing transportation emissions
  7. Education
    1. Educate customers and employees about circular economy principles

We commit to regularly reviewing and improving our environmental practices, and to publish an Impact Report annually. 

 

Social Policies

 

Diversity & Inclusion Policy: Our company is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We:

  1. Recruit, retain, and promote talent from all backgrounds.
  2. Provide equal opportunities for all employees.
  3. Cultivate an environment of respect and belonging.
  4. Prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind.
  5. Encourage diverse perspectives in decision-making.
  6. Regularly review and improve our D&I practices.

We believe diversity strengthens our team and enhances our business performance.

 

Supplier Diversity: Our company is committed to promoting diversity in our supply chain. Among other factors, we evaluate suppliers based on their commitment to advancing progressive environmental, social, and governance factors. We:

  1. Actively seek out and engage diverse suppliers.
  2. Where possible, source services from local, minority- and woman-owned suppliers.
  3. Ensure fair opportunities for diverse suppliers in our procurement process.
  4. Regularly review and set goals for supplier diversity.
  5. Provide support and feedback to help diverse suppliers grow.
  6. Educate our staff on the importance of supplier diversity.
  7. Track and report on our progress in supplier diversity.

We believe a diverse supplier base strengthens our business and supports our community.

 

Community Involvement Policy: Our company is committed to being a responsible and engaged member of our community. We:

  1. Support local charitable organizations through donations and volunteering.
  2. Encourage employees to participate in community service activities.
  3. Sponsor local events and initiatives that align with our values.
  4. Seek partnerships with other local businesses for mutual benefit.
  5. Regularly assess our community impact and areas for improvement.

We believe that by investing in our community, we contribute to its growth and our own success.

Local Hiring Policy

We prioritize hiring local talent whenever possible. Our commitment is to support our community and contribute to the local economy by considering candidates from the surrounding area.

However, we acknowledge that it may not always be feasible to hire locally due to specific job requirements, skills needed, or other circumstances. In such cases, we will expand our search to ensure we find the best candidate for the position.

Governance Policies

 

Human Rights Policy: Our company is committed to upholding and promoting human rights. We:

  1. Prohibit any form of modern slavery, including forced labor and human trafficking.
  2. Ensure fair labor practices, including reasonable working hours and fair compensation.
  3. Respect the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining.
  4. Maintain a safe and healthy work environment for all employees.
  5. Prohibit child labor and adhere to minimum age requirements for employment.
  6. Treat all individuals with dignity and respect, regardless of their background.
  7. Conduct due diligence to identify and address any human rights risks in our operations.
  8. Expect our suppliers and business partners to uphold these same principles.
  9. Provide a confidential mechanism for reporting human rights concerns.
  10. Regularly review and improve our human rights practices.

We are committed to conducting our business in a manner that respects the rights and dignity of all people.

Data Protection & Privacy Policy

Purpose and Scope

Anne Shoemaker & Associates has a policy of protecting the rights and privacy of employees, individuals, voluntary staff, contractors, and partner organizations to carry out our work according to the applicable data protection law. Any breach of the applicable law or the company’s data protection policy is considered an offense, in which event disciplinary procedures will apply. It is our policy to comply with all applicable privacy and data protection laws.

Collection Limitation, Use and Disclosure of Personal Information

We only collect information needed for a specific purpose and will not exceed the purpose for which it is collected. We will ensure that appropriate technical and organizational measures shall apply against unauthorized or unlawful processing of personal data and against accidental loss or destruction of data.

Information collected shall be relevant, accurate, and, where necessary, kept up to date.

We will not keep any information for longer than is necessary.

We will not disclose any personal information in a manner inconsistent with the purposes for which it was originally collected unless the individual has subsequently consented to the new use of their personal information.

Personal information will not be used for direct marketing purposes without giving the individual an opportunity to opt-out.

Management of Personal Information, Accountability and Enforcement

We will take all feasible steps to ensure that personal information is suitable for its intended use, complete, and, where necessary, kept up to date.

We will ensure all practical measures are taken to protect an individual’s and the organization’s personal information from loss, misuse, unauthorized access or disclosure, alteration or destruction.

We will not keep any information for longer than is necessary.

We will assign responsibility to individuals within the company for compliance with laws and related policies and they will be accountable as well.

We will provide internal controls for verifying compliance with laws and related policies and procedures.

We will design a procedure for investigating and resolving problems associated with data protection and communicate this process to the individuals concerned.

Our Computer and E-mail Security

Only authorized personnel can access laptop or computer systems.

All Windows/Mac Operating Systems receive automatic updates and installation of firewalls and antivirus software.

E-mail content is encrypted, or password protected.

E-mail will be sent without revealing recipients’ addresses to others, will remain under Bcc: (blind carbon copy) when e-mail is sent to group

We will make sure we shred all sensitive waste and ensure the security of the workplace.

We will use strong passwords of at least 8 digits, including upper and lower case, and we will avoid leaving display screens unattended.

Measure for Staff Training and Security

We will ensure that we:

Develop awareness about the Data Protection Policy so that staff knows exactly what we expect from them.

Allocate clear roles and responsibilities about data handling, recording and housekeeping as well as the locking and security of relevant allocated storage spaces.

Know about advanced technologies and employees’ expected exposure to data protection

 

Commitment to Our Local Community:

We are committed to prioritizing the procurement of core products from independent suppliers in the Greensboro, NC area. 

At Anne Shoemaker & Associates, we recognize the importance of supporting our local economy and fostering sustainable business practices. As such, we pledge to source at least 50% of our non-labor expenses from independent suppliers in Greensboro. This initiative is not only a step towards enhancing our community relationships but also aligns with our broader corporate social responsibility objectives. 

We believe that by partnering with local businesses, we can cultivate a stronger network of suppliers, reduce our carbon footprint, and contribute to the economic vitality of Greensboro. We are committed to working collaboratively with independent suppliers to identify products and services that meet our quality and operational standards. 

As we move forward with this commitment, we fully intend to engage with local suppliers and explore opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships. We value the innovative spirit and unique offerings that independent businesses bring to our community and look forward to contributing to their success as our own. 

We are excited about this new direction and are eager to work with local suppliers to enhance our product offerings while supporting the Greensboro community.

We define “local” by focusing our operations within North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad region, ensuring our economic impact is felt locally. While we are headquartered in Greensboro, we emphasize the importance of local cultural ties, which may extend our reach beyond the region to include those who have contributed to our community’s rich history.

We focus on building strong relationships with customers based on trust and personalized service. Our goal is to create meaningful connections with our Greensboro community through tailored services that reflect the unique needs and preferences of our neighbors.

We support local initiatives and organizations by donating time, talent, and treasure to organizations that support Greensboro, such as Women2Women, an initiative of the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro. As a community-driven business, we allocate a portion of our profits to local charities and schools, reinforcing our commitment to improving the quality of life in the Piedmont Triad region.

We partner with local professionals to source services that meet the highest standards of quality, reliability, and professionalism, demonstrating our dedication to the local economy and sustainability. [Local Employment] We employ local residents and prioritize partnerships with businesses that are physically located in the Piedmont Triad to bolster the community economy and ensure our workforce reflects the diversity and creativity of Greensboro.

We believe in a sustainable future for Greensboro; we support events and initiatives that protect our natural resources and implement sustainable practices that resonate with community values, such as reducing waste and sourcing materials locally.